A Note from Conductor Janna Sailor
IndigiDivas is envisioned as a respectful and empowering showcase of female-identifying Indigenous singers, seamlessly weaving together Indigenous traditions and cultures with the operatic and orchestral world.
Indigenous-led and realized in collaboration with the Allegra Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Artistic Director Janna Sailor and Allegra’s Indigenous Artist in Residence Melody Courage, this concert features operatic and orchestral works by Indigenous and Canadian composers in an imaginative and impactful way that highlights First Nations stories, languages, struggles, and traditions, putting them front and centre on the concert stage. All of Allegra’s artistic ventures feature a social action mandate, bringing musical and practical elements together to bring healing and understanding to our communities through the organic integration and interaction between the arts and society.
The creation of the IndigiDivas has been a multi-year process in which music, language, culture, and tradition has been shared and carefully curated in consultation with Indigenous communities and artists. Fusing Indigenous culture with the operatic and symphonic tradition is a powerful and symbolic tool of reconciliation in that it brings together colonial and First Nations cultures in a spirit of collaboration, sharing, mutual respect, understanding, and celebration. Celebrating and featuring Indigenous artists is a key aspect of equalizing our stages, giving back sonic space to those whose voices first echoed over our land, and offering First Nations artists autonomy on what has previously been a settler’s stage.
Join the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in the Jack Singer Concert Hall for IndigiDivas: Opera Hits + Indigenous Stories on January 27. Get your tickets today!
